Back in 2017, the president of Toyota, Akio Toyoda, issued a companywide decree of "no more boring cars." He has mostly stuck to that as the company has subsequently introduced more exciting models such as the GR Yaris and GR Supra while making the bread-and-butter cars, namely the RAV4 and Yaris, much more appealing. Now Toyota turns its attention to its smallest car. Having previously collaborated with Citroen and Peugeot for its city car project, the old Aygo, Toyota is now going it alone with the Aygo X.
In the metal
It may for the most part carry over the name of its predecessor, but the Aygo X (pronounced Aygo Cross according to Toyota) is quite a different car. For starters Toyota builds it using a version of its TNGA-B platform that also underpins the larger Yaris. While that allows for hybridisation, the Aygo X comes only with a combustion engine for now.
Dimensionally it is larger than the Aygo it replaces, with an 11mm increase in ground clearance contributing to its crossover-influenced design. The length grows by 235mm to 3,700mm, with the distance between the front and rear wheels increasing by 90mm. In addition to making the Aygo X 125mm wider, Toyota fits 17-inch wheels as standard, with the option of 18-inch alloys on the two upper trim levels. These give the car a 40 per cent tyre to body ratio that gives it a much more substantial look. The wheel arches are clad with plastic to emphasise that SUV character, though they are lightly disguised here on our test car as it is a pre-series production model.
It all works well, and the bi-colour design with a black roof, A- and C-pillars and rear bumper feature on all but the entry-grade Aygo X Pulse. Large headlights (LED from Envy grade up) and a bluff front result in a car that couldn't appear more different to the model it replaces, even if traces of the old Aygo do remain at the rear with the glazed tailgate and light clusters. Boot space is slightly larger than before, measuring 231 litres, or 829 litres with the rear seats folded down.
The rear passenger space is par for the segment, although getting in and out isn't the easiest due to the door opening's shape and the angle to which the door itself opens. Once in, two adults of average height should find enough comfort for a short journey, providing those in front are kind enough to slide their seats forward a little. The rear windows don't slide down but instead pop out from the corner. When you're seated in the rear, their angular design limits what you can see out from them, too.
Visibility in the front, on the other hand, is exceptionally good thanks in part to the use of that new platform. The driver's seat is now 55mm higher, and the outward visibility is aided by A-pillars that now rest at 24 degrees, therefore improving the field of vision for the driver. Toyota has boosted the amount of adjustability for the driver's seat, too, although the new multifunction steering wheel only remains adjustable for height, not reach.
The instrument cluster is a simple affair comprising a large analogue speedometer, 4.2-inch TFT display for trip computer functions and a rev counter and fuel gauge on the sides. Toyota equips the Aygo X with a seven-inch touchscreen display at a minimum, with eight- and nine-inch units available across other specification grades. All feature Android Auto and Apple CarPlay too.
Driving it
Only one engine is available in the Toyota Aygo X, a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 72hp. For a car weighing 940kg, it's adequate, especially in an urban setting. That's where most are likely to spend their time, and it's in these built-up areas that the expanded field of vision from the raised driving position is of help. You never feel as if you're sitting any higher than other road users, and proper SUVs will still tower over the plucky Toyota, but the blind spots are kept to a minimum.
Three-cylinder engines, by their very nature, can be a touch coarse, especially when being driven that bit harder. However, the Toyota power unit is more refined than most and there's a positive shift action to the five-speed manual gearbox. There isn't the need to be constantly working that gearbox either and the three-cylinder engine has sufficient torque to pull it along at lower engine speeds. A balance between light steering and suspension that soaks up bumps without making it feel as if the car is bouncing around highlights the refined quality that Toyota has instilled in the Aygo X.
No more is this evident than when you depart the confines of the city and take to the motorway. The car is happy to clip along at 100km/h with little fuss, those inside can still enjoying a conversation without having to raise their voices or adjust the music volume to drown out any unwanted road noise. Larger wheels contribute to a sense of solidity on the road and there is enough weight in the steering to prevent any unwanted weaving at speed.
Unlike some other city cars, the manual gearbox is geared long enough in fifth that undertaking longer journeys shouldn't be something to dread. One of the other big plusses here is the standard fitment of adaptive cruise control. Usually the kind of feature only found in larger cars, it demonstrates that Toyota isn't shying away from putting its assistance tech into its smaller cars.
What you get for your money
When the Toyota Aygo X goes on sale in Ireland it will have a starting price of €18,035, which may cause some current Aygo owners to baulk, but a look through the standard equipment levels reveals that Toyota isn't scrimping on specification. There will be four equipment grades in total, called the Aygo X Pulse, Design, Envy and Limited.
The Toyota Aygo X Pulse is the only car not to get the black contrasting roof, A- and C-pillars and rear and this aspect may suit some who prefer a more subtle look. It gets 17-inch alloy wheels, fabric upholstery, a height-adjustable driver's seat, manual air conditioning, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, electric parking brake, seven-inch touchscreen display and a reversing camera.
With the Aygo X Design there is the addition of the dual-colour scheme outside with the choice of Chilli Red, Juniper Blue, Cardamom Green or Ginger Beige. A gloss black radiator grille, rear privacy glass, increased sound insulation, a towing pack for a bicycle and an eight-inch touchscreen display are standard.
The Aygo X Envy gains 18-inch machined-face alloy wheels, LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a leather multifunction steering wheel, a nine-inch touchscreen with connected services, a wireless charging pad and part-synthetic leather upholstery with an X-design fabric insert.
Topping the range is the Aygo X Limited, adding keyless entry and 18-inch matte black alloy wheels with Mandarina inserts that also appear on the rocker cover and bumpers, while the interior receives heated front seats with a premium partial leather upholstery.
Summary
Many will see the shared Yaris platform and lack of a hybrid option as something of a missed opportunity from Toyota. Still, with the Aygo X already carrying a hefty price hike over the previous Aygo, the added cost of adding electrification is likely to have made it unviable. Nevertheless, the Aygo X is a polished package that, from an aesthetic standpoint at least, is an interesting one.
